Apparatus for treating film or the like



W. R. HARLOW APPARATUS FOR TREATING FILM OR THE LIKE Nov. 14, 1950 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Oct. 51, 1947 k r A! \X/il/iarn 7 R. Hear/ow Nov. 14, 1950 w. R. HARLOW APPARATUS FOR lREATING FILM OR THE LIKE 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Oct. 31, 1947 \X/i/l/om R. Hon/ow Patented Nov. 14, 1950 UNITED S A E 9,495 EN T l O FFIC a APPARATUS FOR TREATING FILM on THE LIKE .7

This invention relates to a new and improved apparatus for treating, as by developing, stop ping, fixing, and washing, photographic film or= the like'and is particularly adapted to treatment of small amounts of film in which developingconditions are critical, as in color film processing or testing and scientific work.

An object of the invention is the provision of a novel apparatus for treating photographic film or the like in which means are provided for effecting a closed gravity system including a septum for transmission of treating solution from a solution container to a treating tank and from the tank to the solution container after treatment.

Another object of the invention is to provide, such an apparatus in which the said closed system is agitated as a whole during the treatment.

A further object is theprovision of a support providing for immersion of said apparatus in a temperature controllingfiuid.

Another object is to provide in such apparatus a reel which is provided with novel.v means of adjustment to adapt it to different widths of film or the like.

. Another object is to provide a novel means .of mounting the apparatus for agitation and of agitating the apparatus.

Other objects and advantages of. the invention will appear hereinafter.

1 The invention involves the provision of a series of reels of novel form adapted to hold varioussizes of film, only one such reel being illustrated. herein to show the principle; a septum which insures light-tightness, quick transfer of the solutions, and an even distribution of .the solutionsused over the'film; a tank adapted to contain the reel and septum; a table adapted for agita tion on a standard by an agitator; a tank cover with a central opening capable of-receiving, in a liquid-tight fit, the openings oi containers for the various solutions required ii -development; and a portable supporting and temperature conamended'April 30, 1928; 370 0; G. 757) trolling container or case adapted to carry and protectthe entire outfit, accessories such as theri mometers and extra chemicals, and also to act as a-constant temperature bath for tank and solution containers during development.

Although the novel features which are characteristic of this invention will be, pointed out in the claims appended hereto, the invention itself, as to its objects and advantages and the manner in which it may be employed, may be better understood by referring to the following description taken; in connection with the I accompanying drawings, forming a part thereof and in which like numerals are used to designate like parts.

Figure 1 is a vertical section of the developing apparatus, table, standard, and agitator, taken on1line- I I, Figure 4.

Figure 2 is an enlarged section of a part of the reel andgt aken taken on line 2-2, Figure 4, showing the placement of the filni in the reel and the method of making a tight seal between the tank and tank cover.

Figure 3 is an enlarged section of the central core taken on line l-l, Figure 4, showing the" method of adjusting the position of the upper reel portion on the core.

Figure 4 isa plan view of the carrying case with cover removed, at'line 44 in Figure 5, showing the placement of the various elements therein.

Figure 5 is a section of the'carrying case on 7 line 5+5 of Figure 4. V Thisin'vention relates to apparatus for treat ing photographic film or the like, and comprises a'tank 10 having a cover H with a coupling l2} adapted for water-tight connection with the op' posite coupling l3 on any one of several liquid" containers M. The film is carried in a reel J5, under a septum 16, both of which fit within "the tank It), The tank rests on a table" IT, supported one standard, which is adapted to be agitated by an agitator IS. The entire apparatus and :ac-- cessories fit within a portable supportingcon tainer'pr' case 20; whichprovides a means of" maintaining the apparatus at desired tempera ture.

The reel l5-consists of a hollow core 2|, the" upper portion of which is threaded externally at" 22, and grooved longitudinally'as indicated at 23", andbjoth'ends of which are provided witha pli1'-" 'ralityof notches as at 24' and 25; a lower spirally grooved plate 'member 26, an upper spirally grooved plate member 21, the position of whose spiral'is'fixedi'n relation to the lower spiral member' 26"by suitable means such as by the groove 23Zi'n 'c'ore 2l which receives an inwardly dis posed-projection on the upperspiral plate 21 but" whose distancefrom the lower member 26 is reg+ which-serve to hold'th'e members 26 and 21 parallel to eachother and perpendicular to the core. 2|. Attached to sleeve 30 and core 2| are clips; 32, which h0ld,'by spring-pressure, the internal end of .film 33. The, spiral plate members 26 and 2.! consist of an outward spiraling plane surface 34 with connecting material 35 through which 'holes 36, preferably are punched. The circumferences ofthe spiral plate members are preferably; provided witha pluralityof notches 31. The reel shown illustrates'the principle which adapts-it to 'manysizes and types of film, and is not lim-" itedjto theexact structure shown.

A,septum I6 preferably comprises a hollow. cylindrical stem 38, adaptedtoreach almost to the bone filler the solutio container, and a plate 39 integral with the stem, said septum removably fitting within and on top of the cyline drical core 2|. The septum plate 39 with cover ll forms a restricted passage which acts to stop most of the light from entering the tank I0, yet permits the free flow of liquids and gases through.

its central tube portion 38 and around its outer edge which is provided with a plurality of notches 3|. The septum stem 38 acts as a vent to enable the air in the tank I!) to escape readily through the notche 24 and the core ofstem 38, to the bottom of the inverted container !4,

wardgfrom the-ring 45, and has a slot 41 which piyota-lly and sl-idably engages the end of arm 60; and a bearing surface 48 in which rotates theearm 61 of the agitator. Another arm 49 extends'up-irom the-opposite side of the rim 45'.

Each -arm,- 46 and 49, preferably has a'slot 50.

throughr'whichr an elastic strap (not shown) may bethreaded to hold narrow objects on the table IT. A socket member 5t in the center of plate; 44;"having a 'socket' bearing surface'52, supports thewtable I'I'"on-ball pivot 58 on the standard-18'. Thecover ,l "is-formed to'completely seal and to-therebypermit complete drainage of the tank in the inverted position. Inthe embodiment shown, the cover-circumference carries two downward-extending rims. 53- and'5 4, adapted for retaining the gasket 42. Lugs 55 accept the motor Ijllis" based on well-known principles, it is not elaborated here.

, I The portable supporting and temperature controlling container or case consists of a liquidwith reel l5 and septum. lfiywater l8v of theproper tight shell" H of any suitable material. Several containers are held firmly in place as by belts 12 and are, desirably secured by quick opening clamps 13 of any standard design. The belts 12, case H, and cover I6 preferably are padded with a resilient material 14. Further strength to hold the containers 14 in place is given by the shallowv trough formed in the bottom of the case 20 by the-U sh'aped member 15, Figure 4.

The largest compartment, as indicated in Figure-4, islarge enough tohold the entire standard l8; table 11, tank I0, and motor;l9, during operation. Threaded holes in the case 2 0 (not shown)- provide for draining, filling, and'over- 1. flow, wheninuse as a temperature controlling bath, and for attachment of the case 20 to any source of controlled temperature fluid. A removable-cover J5, attaches to the case orshell II in aconventional manner. A handle His attached to the shell H for convenience in carry.- ing. The level-of the temperature controlling water bath is indicated by 18 in Figure 1. The level-of the; solutionis indicated by 19 in Fig ure 1.. i I

Operation of the unit is as follows: Thenecessary solutions are miXed'and place in theirrespectiye labeled. jars M in their proper compartmentsin. the. supporting and temperature controlling case 28-. After removing the tank 10 temperature is admitted to thecase 20 to the overflow level tobrin all the solutions to exactly th'e same anid correct desired .temperature..

The. film 3.3 is loaded in the dark into the reell5by hand or by any of the several mechanical tongues; 56 0f the clips-43; insuring apermanently tightfit; V The'center of the coveris pro-.

vided-with' a rim" surface I2, which, in this'case" and=for;purposes of illustration of the principle, consists eta-screw" surface with-.threads-51 adapted" to fit overthe threaded mouth of. a solution jar- 14; although it could be any one of various.- types of; such liquid-tight unions commonly used;

-Ther standard l8, comprisin a relatively nare roW- stripof metal or the like, is adapted to supiport ?the weight of the tank, film, developing solutioncontainer, and table, on the pivot. 58: through bearing surface 52 placed-approximately beneath the-center of gravity of the: tank-Ill... A lower member- 59 0f standard [8 carries the pivot "58. 'The standard [8 "supp0rtsar'm"-B0, and the-211101701 I9, its lower section 59 being wideenough *torender the whole'st'able, and perfo-' rated to permit attachment to the lugst-l and 62.

"The 'motor drive I9 mayibe electrical, mechanical, pneumatic, or manual; and for the purpose of"illustratio'n, a spring-wound motor isshown.

Ifd'esira'bly consists of a case'63' and cover6'4' the case 20 by means designed for thispurpose, 'Il'iefreel I5" is then placed. in. the tank ID, the septum l6 set in, and the cover H clamped on [by meansv of the clips 43. The remainder of the. develop merit may now take place in; the light.

containing'a coil spring 65 wound by the key 66,

which drives a gear train and escapement 6.8

whichturn imparts anirregular circular drive to' 'thea'rzn 61." As the'spring is wound, a small indicator 69 shows the number of minutes of agitation for which the motor is wound.' A bell T0' is setftoring' just before the spring" is completely' run down. Since the mechanism of the The loaded tank It! is inverted over the first solution containe1xl4, and securedtightly thereto by th e coupling of screws l2 and 13. The container it is loosened by releasing the :clampg'13, and. it and the tank lil are then inverted and set on th'e table ,f ll "The solutioniri the container It then runs down intothe tank It], filling it cQmpletely, byjo'rce of gravity. The key fifi is wound until the indicator 59 lsh ows'the necessary minutesj'l of jdevelopmentas determined by'tirne and tenil peraturefgraphs The wound-spring turns the which imparts an irregular and non cyclic butgentle agitation to the contents of the tanklil; Since the tank It is immersed in'the Water bath 18 during agitation, there willlz'ieno undesired changeo'f temperature, andth'e weight" of the 'tank'andcontents is so buoyed that remtively little "energy fromthe' rh'otor' is necessary for proper agitationTThe container l4 remains attached 'to the tank It during agitation by the coupling 'o'f screws I2 and l3,jand screws 'the triple purpose ofkeeping the system air-tight; raising'thefcenter of gravity of the system high enough" so that the tank't'end s" to over-balance and slide to the1ow point of the plate 44' twice: on each rotation of arm 6'1 (thus contributing to' non-cyclic agitation) and being ready-for instant draining ofthe tank it at the conclusion of the time erection of'th'e solution: since the plate 44 1s or larger diameter-than theitankfl(hand since the angle of the plate 44-"witli"-the"horizon== a tal is sufficient to allow the tank ID to slide by force of gravity on the incline of plate 44 as constantly changed by the changing position of arm 6?, the tank will tend to bump gently back and forth against various parts of the rim 45, which bumping motion contributes to non-cyclic agitation and tends to remove any air bubbles remaining inside the tank.

Upon completion of the proper agitation time, the bell l0 rings, the operator lifts the tank 19 and container I 4 off the table Ii, inverts them and places the container M back in its proper compartment. The solution drains from the tank 10 down into the container i 4 by gravity. The tank It! is then uncoupled from the container 14 and is transferred to the next container in order, where the process is contined until development is complete. Washing may then be accomplished by removing the cover 1 l, septum I6 and passing the wash water down the center of the cylinder 2!, up through the film 33 through perforations in the reel 2'1, and out over the side of the tank I0. Or, where wash water quality, quantity, or temperature, is critical, more containers M filled with wash water may be used for repeated, agitated. controlled washing in the same manner as the solutions.

The devices herein generally referred to as portable apparatus for treating film or the like may be used for other purposes, and it is not intended to limit them solely to this purpose. Alterations in details may be made to the specific form of the invention as herein shown and described without departing from the spirit and intent of the invention or the scope of the claims.

The invention described herein may be manufactured and used by or for the Government of the United States of America for governmental purposes without the payment of any royalties thereon or therefor.

What is claimed is:

1. Apparatus for treating film or the like comprising a support, a pivot member on said support, a film treating tank, means mounting said tank for movement on said pivot member, means mounted on said support and connected to said tank mounting means for agitating said tank mounting means on said pivot, a solution container having means for liquid-tight connection to said tank when either one is inverted in relation to the other, said tank having cooperating means for providing said liquid-tight connection with said solution container, said solution container when disposed in inverted connection with said tank providing solution by gravity for treating film or the like in the tank and adapted to be agitated with said tank by said agitating means, said tank mounting means comprising a table member having a socket cooperating with said pivot member, said table supporting said tank, said table having an upstanding arm portion, a standard on said support carrying said agitating means at its upper end, an arm on said standard, said arm portion of said table having a slot therein for slidable pivotal engagement with said standard arm, said agitating means including a rotary drive arm rotating in a plane inclined in respect to the plane of the support, the end of said rotary drive arm being pivotally connected to the upper end of said upstanding arm portion of the said table for imparting agitation thereto.

2. Apparatus for treating film or the like comprising a support, an upstanding pivot member on said support, a film treating tank, a table re-- ceiving said film treating tank, said table having a central pivot portion engaging said upstanding pivot member and, thereby mounting said tank carrying table for tilting agitating movement in any direction upon said support, drive means mounted on said support and connected to said tank carrying table for controlling the agitating movement thereof in varying directions, a container for treating solution mounted on said tank on said table, said tank containing solution from said solution container, the said connected drive means and table being constructed and arranged in relation to the elevated center of gravity of the said combined tank and solution container to provide requisite tilting and agitating motion in varying directions with a minimum of energy from the drive means,said table being of greater dimension than said tank to permit sliding motion of said combined tank and container on said table during said agitation, said connected table and drive means being constructed to provide sufficient motion including tilting of the table to cause said combined tank and solution container to slide on said table, and stop means at the edges of said table for arresting the sliding movement of said tank on said table and contributing to the agitation.

3. Apparatus for treating film or the like comprising a support, an upstanding pivot member on said support, a film treating tank, a table receiving said film treating tank, said table having a central pivot portion engaging said upstanding pivot member and thereby mounting said tank carrying table for tilting agitating movement in any direction upon said support, drive means mounted on said support and connected to said tank carrying table for controlling the agitating movement thereof in varying directions, a container for treating solution mounted on said tank on said table, said tank containing solution from said solution container, the said connected drive means and table being constructed and arranged in relation to the elevated center of gravity of the said combined tank and solution container to provide requisite tilting and agitating motion in varying directions with a minimum of energy from the drive means, said support comprising a container, temperature controlling fluid in said supporting container, said tank and the surmounted solution container being so constructed that said tank is substantially immersed in said fiuid and buoyed thereby, with said solution container extending substantially above said fluid.

WILLIAM R. HARLOW.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,205,708 Caldwell Nov. 21, 1916 1,254,300 Baker Jan. 22, 1918 2,004,410 Houch et a1 June 11, 1935 2,187,948 Moore Jan. 22, 1938 2,242,600 Reyniers May 20, 1941 2,259,259 Mace Oct. 14, 1941 2,349.026 Wildman May 16, 1944 2,393,654 Rauglas Jan. 29, 1946 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 522,639 Germany Apr. 11, 1931 807,882 France Oct. 26, 1936 641,973 Germany Feb. 18, 1937 

